Holiday scams on the rise as Indian travellers lose thousands
- Paul Aage Hegvik
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
A growing number of Indian holidaymakers are falling victim to fake travel deals, with losses running into thousands of dollars.
As online fraud spreads, experts urge greater caution when booking vacations.
With international travel booming in 2025, a wave of online scams is catching Indian holidaymakers off guard—costing them thousands and wrecking carefully planned vacations.
In a recent case, the daughter-in-law of retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Ambadas Pote booked a ₹2 lakh holiday package to Bangkok for four family members. The trip appeared legitimate, complete with online confirmations and flight tickets. But when the couple arrived at the Pullman Pattaya Hotel, they were told their reservation didn’t exist.
Worse still, their return tickets were also fake.
The couple had transferred ₹1.6 lakh—about $1,930 USD—to a man named Akhilesh Singh. Now unreachable, Singh is under investigation, and the incident has been reported to police in Mumbai’s Borivli suburb. The couple had no choice but to cover their hotel stay and new flights home themselves.
A nationwide problem
Sadly, this isn’t an isolated incident.
A recent survey by cybersecurity firm McAfee found that nearly 47% of Indian travellers surveyed said they had fallen for some form of travel scam, such as fake hotel bookings, phishing websites, or misleading flight deals. This is according to ETTravelworld. While the figure doesn’t reflect all Indian travellers, it does point to a troubling rise in online travel fraud. One in five respondents reported losing more than ₹40,000.
Travel frauds come in many forms:
Fake websites offering heavily discounted flights and hotel packages
Social media promotions leading to phishing pages
Bogus confirmations sent over WhatsApp and email
Religious tourism scams, like the recent Char Dham helicopter booking fraud, which led authorities to block over 50 fake websites and 111 phone numbers
Officials urge caution
India’s Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has issued multiple warnings, especially around high-demand travel seasons. Tourists are advised to:
Book only through verified travel platforms or official airline and hotel websites
Be wary of unusually cheap offers
Avoid sending money via direct transfers to unverified individuals
Report suspicious activity on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal
The takeaway
As travel demand continues to surge across India, so does the risk of fraud. Scammers are getting smarter—but so can travellers. By staying alert and booking through trusted sources, you can make sure your next holiday stays exactly what it should be: a dream, not a disaster.
How to spot a travel scam: 8 signs to watch for
With online travel scams becoming more common, here are key red flags and tips to help you identify fraudulent deals before it’s too late:
Prices too good to be true If a flight or hotel is significantly cheaper than on reputable platforms, it’s likely a scam. Always cross-check prices on major travel sites.
No verifiable online presence Scammers often use fake websites or social media pages. Look for proper domain names (like *.com or .in), check for contact details, and search for reviews. Avoid sites with no official company information or physical address.
Requests for direct bank transfers or UPI payments Legitimate platforms accept credit cards or secure payment gateways. Be cautious if you're asked to pay directly to a personal account or via unknown payment apps.
Lack of official confirmation A real booking should give you a confirmation email with a PNR or reference number you can verify with the airline or hotel. If you only get a WhatsApp message or vague email, be suspicious.
Poor spelling, grammar, or blurry logos Scam emails and websites often contain errors or low-quality visuals. Trust your instincts—professional businesses rarely look unprofessional.
Pressure to book quickly Scammers often create urgency: «Only one room left!” or «Offer expires in 10 minutes!» Take your time to verify first.
No customer support Try calling the number on the website before you book. If no one answers or it’s always switched off, that’s a red flag.
Too much reliance on social media deals Ads on Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp can be faked. Avoid clicking links that lead to unfamiliar booking platforms or ask for personal info upfront.
How to verify a real travel provider
Before booking, always do these simple but powerful checks:
Check the business address A legitimate travel agency or hotel will list a full business address—not just a vague city name. Google it. If it leads to a random apartment or empty lot, steer clear.
Call the contact number Don’t rely on WhatsApp alone. Call the agency or hotel number to confirm details. If no one answers or the number isn’t registered, it’s likely a scam.
Search for independent reviews Look for reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Trustpilot, or Facebook. Beware if:
There are no reviews at all
All reviews are overly positive and posted on the same day
Reviewers have suspicious or inactive profiles
Cross-check names Many scams use names of real hotels or airlines, but the payment details and contact info don’t match the official site. Always compare with the official brand website.
